Release Detail

September 22, 2005 - Schools Flunk, But Bloomberg Gets Good Grades,
New York City Voters Tell Quinnipiac University Poll;
Education Is Top Priority In Mayor's Race

By a 66 - 21 percent margin, New York City voters are not satisfied with the quality of
public schools, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Over the last
three years, this level of dissatisfaction has ranged from 71 to 78 percent.

By a 48 - 29 percent margin, voters say the teachers' union plays a positive rather
than negative role in improving New York City's educational system.

"Mayor Bloomberg said New Yorkers should rate him on just one thing - how he
handles the public schools. They give him about a C-plus," said Maurice Carroll, director
of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"Overall, the public schools get a failing grade. As bad as this looks, prior scores
were even worse. The teachers union - which is squabbling with the Mayor over their
contract - gets a positive score. Not high, but on the plus side.

Education is "very important" in deciding how they will vote for Mayor, 84 percent
of New York City voters say, with 12 percent who say "somewhat important."

Crime is "very important" as an issue, 73 percent of voters say, with 20 percent who
say "somewhat important."

Taxes are "very important" to 67 percent of voters, and "somewhat important" to 23
percent.

"New Yorkers care about crime and taxes, but they care even more about the way
their kids are taught," Carroll said.

Twelve percent of New York City voters are "very satisfied" with the way things
are going in the city, with 51 percent who are "somewhat satisfied," 22 percent who are
"somewhat dissatisfied" and 13 percent who are "very dissatisfied."

From September 14 - 19, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,504 New York City
registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and
nationwide as a public service and for research.

For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu or call (203) 582-5201

5. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New York
City today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied,
or very dissatisfied?